Edward Crew
| Edward Dixon Crew | |
|---|---|
| Born |
24 December 1917 Wellingborough, Northamptonshire |
| Died | 18 August 2002 (aged 84) Cirencester, Gloucestershire |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch |
 Royal Air Force
|
| Years of service | 1939–1973 |
| Rank | Air Vice Marshal |
| Service number | 74700 |
| Commands held |
Central Reconnaissance Establishment (1968–69) Air Forces Borneo (1965–66) RAF Bruggen (1959–62) No. 45 Squadron (1948–50) No. 96 Squadron (1943–44) |
| Battles/wars |
Malayan Emergency Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation |
| Awards |
Companion of the Order of the Bath Distinguished Service Order & Bar Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar Mentioned in Despatches |
Air Vice Marshal Edward Dixon Crew CB, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar (24 December 1917 – 18 August 2002) was a Royal Air Force officer and a nightfighter ace of the Second World War. He shot down 15 enemy aircraft and was one of the top-scoring aces against the V-1 flying bomb.
Edward Dixon Crew was born 24 December 1917 and was educated at Felsted School and Downing College, Cambridge. While at Downing College he joined the University Air Squadron and following his graduation he was commissioned in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
In July 1940 Crew joined 604 Squadron operating twin-engined Blenheim IF night-fighters. During the Battle of France the squadron was used for day and night operations against Germany troops and patrols over the Dunkirk beaches to protect the withdrawal of the British Expeditionary Force. With the Battle of Britain at its height the squadron aircraft were fitted with airborne radar, although the system was immature and the Blenheim was not the best night fighter. Later in 1940 the squadron was re-equipped with the Bristol Beaufighter and Crew downed his first Germany aircraft, a Heinkel He 111, on 4 April 1941. With two more aircraft shot down and two damaged he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in June 1941. In June 1942 he had destroyed five aircraft to become an ace and in June 1942 he received a Bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross.
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